Guided Visits

Guided visits allow students to form meaningful connections across academic disciplines through close observation and interactive garden and gallery experiences. Led by trained volunteers, these tours encourage creative and critical thinking while addressing various learning styles.

Guided school visits are FREE to groups in Tennessee, Southern Kentucky and Northern Alabama. School groups from other areas of the country are charged a fee. The tours are presented appropriately for each group’s grade level and subject area, and are aligned with the Tennessee Curriculum Standards. Cheekwood requires a minimum of 15 students and no less than 2 weeks’ notice for guided tours.

Self-Guided Visits

Self-Guided visits allow you to design your students’ experience at Cheekwood. Art, science, history, math, and language arts can be explored throughout the gardens and galleries. To make the most of your self-guided visit, take advantage of the many teaching resources available on our website.

Call in advance and an Education and staff member will be happy to discuss areas and exhibitions appropriate for your curriculum topic. Self-guided tours are FREE to public and private school groups, but reservations must be made at least 2 weeks in advance.

Self-Guided Garden Tours
Dig deeper into your classroom curriculum with these self-guided tours. Each Teacher Guide includes information and activities for before, during, and after your visit to Cheekwood.

Growing the Language Arts
Cultivate your students’ creativity and communication skills with this cross-disciplinary approach to the garden. Through garden-inspired literature and an exploration of Cheekwood’s botanical gardens and grounds, students will explore personal expression, poetry, prose, presentation, and many other language arts standards. Growing the Language Arts – Teacher GuideCommon Core Connections

Garden by Number
Designing, planting, and maintaining a garden takes mathematical problem solving and practice. From basic measurement and arithmetic to data collection and graphing, students will implement the concepts they have learned in the classroom to help the Cheekwood gardeners with their daily tasks. Garden by Number - Teacher Guide
Common Core Connections